He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. He owned and operated Avoca Village Sales and was a correctional officer for the Steuben County Jail.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Bauter Haenisch; parents, James and Jesse Haenisch of Fremont; two daughters, Jaime Haenisch of Spencer and Tiffany Reinbold of Howard; and two brothers, Mark Haenisch of Arkport and Tim Haenisch of San Diego, Calif.